William's Song a Day Blog - est. September 2007

From: Why? (The King of Love is Dead) ; Year: 1968; Genre: Jazz/Soul/Gospel It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day once more; thought I would choose something fitting for my song today. This one, which was written by Nina Simone's bass player Gene Taylor apparently just days after Dr. King was assassinated in response to his tragic death. There was really no one better to perform this piece than the great Nina Simone; her powerful, emotional delivery brings chills and tears every time I hear it.    Watch a live performance on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: U.K. - Thirty Years     My song pick 2 years ago today: James Brown - Lowdown Popcorn   My song pick 3 years ago today: Joan Baez - Rejoice in the Sun   My song pick 4 years ago today: Uriah Heep - Hold Your Head Up   My song pick 5 years ago today: Alice in Chains - Rain When I Die   My song pick 6 years ago today: Return to Forever - Spain   My song pick 7 years...

From: Nina Simone In Concert ; Year: 1964; Genre: Jazz/Soul/Opera Was listening to and reading up on Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's The Threepenny Opera and happened upon this amazing rendition of the piece Pirate Jenny by the late-great Nina Simone and was blown away not just by her amazing vocals, but her presence and acting ability. It made me wish I was in the audience back then to watch it live; she certainly was something great.   Hear Pirate Jenny (The Black Freighter) on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Smash Mouth - Walkin' On the Sun   My song pick 2 years ago today: Fairport Convention - No Man's Land   My song pick 3 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Goin' Through the Motions   My song pick 4 years ago today: Marillion - The Last Straw My song pick 5 years ago today: Jane's Addiction - True Nature My song pick 6 years ago today: Manic Street Preachers - Theme from M.A.S.H. (Suicide Is Painless) My song pick 7 years ago...